since trying to find God and return to the catholic church I’ve realized I know nothing about religion. I don’t even know where to start. any suggestions? I see many threads that I try to read to gain some knowledge and insight, but I don’t understand them. where do I begin? I need to start with the basics.

[quote=Anna’s Mom]since trying to find God and return to the catholic church I’ve realized I know nothing about religion. I don’t even know where to start. any suggestions? I see many threads that I try to read to gain some knowledge and insight, but I don’t understand them. where do I begin? I need to start with the basics.
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How about reading a children’s catechism and getting out a Bible and reading the Gospels? Also, www.ewtn.com/vexperts/conference.htm is a good way to learn about the faith. Some interesting topics are covered in the questions.

[quote=Anna’s Mom]since trying to find God and return to the catholic church I’ve realized I know nothing about religion. I don’t even know where to start. any suggestions? I see many threads that I try to read to gain some knowledge and insight, but I don’t understand them. where do I begin? I need to start with the basics.
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I have been exactly where you are! What I did was one day just went to Mass. Decided that was where I needed to be. Went to confession and then had many talks with the priest after Mass. I started reading anything I could get my hands on about the Catholic faith as there were many things I either “forgot” or "didn’t know " to begin with. Then I decided to take RCIA classes to bone up too.

My suggestion would be to seek out your local priest…look him square in the eye…and pour your heart out. I did. You will be happy you did too.

There is a wonderful little book named What Catholics Believe by Mike Aquilina and Father Kris D. Stubna. I have given copies to several of the adults in my RCIA classes. It is a pocket catechism, has a wonderful little guide to the Mass, and several basic prayers in it. It fits right in your purse, you can carry it with you anywhere. Ana, I highly reccomend it. You may purchase it online…simply type in the title into your search engine and you will find a place to purchase it…or you may go to Our Sunday Visitor website to purchase it.

There is an excellent book called: “The Faith Explained” by Leo Trese. Here is the description: “Book Description:
The Faith Explained is an all-in-one handbook to help you understand, explain, and defend the great truths of the Catholic Faith. In brief and readable chapters, it explains the purpose of human existence, God and His perfections, the creation and fall of man, the Incarnation, the Redemption, the sacraments, sacramentals, prayer, the importance of the Bible, and much more. Perfect for RCIA classes, this book is also a magnificent refresher course on the Faith for Catholics and an illuminating resource for non-Catholics with questions about the Church.
”

It is in accordance with the Church, so you don’t have to worry about misinformation. Also, if you go to Amazon and look it up you can see the names of the chapters and the topics it covers. Amazon: The Faith Explained